From traditional methods to the newest media available, there are many ways an organization facilitate conversations about an incentive program. Incentive program communication serves many purposes: announcing the launch of a new program, keeping employees engaged and informed on the program, promoting the goals of the program, enticing participation, spreading information about the impact and success of the program, publicizing new goals or ways employees can earn points…really the list is endless. In the next two posts, I am providing all of the custom communication tools I have encountered with my clients. Depending on the needs, budget and demographics of your organization, this list is like a self serve cafeteria; you can pick and choose the communication tools that are the best fit for your company.
Meetings
Meetings are one of the best ways to show an audience that management endorses the incentive program and is dedicated to its success. Informal or formal gatherings can help create buy-in among employees at the launch of a new award program, keep employees updated throughout the program and publicize the impact of individual contributions on the company’s success. Meetings are a good fit for organizations that can easily hold face to face meetings on a regular basis at little to no cost.
Company Newsletters
Many companies already have a regular newsletter being emailed or mailed out to employees. Sometimes it is easy for the editor of the newsletter to add a new section about the incentive program. I have seen newsletters shed light on what the most popular awards of the program are, what employees have done recently to earn points and also provide regular updates on the impact of the program.
Emails
Emails are one of the most versatile tools to communicate an incentive program and thus the most common way to communicate an incentive program. Electronic messages can be sent at the kickoff of a program, anytime employees earn points, when new goals are introduced or when milestones have been achieved. Emails can feature a mix of plain text, links and photos. Links in emails can be directed to online videos that can be used to promote participation in the incentive program. Electronic mail is a good fit for participants who are familiar with computers and have access to the internet regularly.
Posters
Posters are generally used as promotion devices-they feature popular awards that can be earned by participating in an incentive program, include goals of program and tell employees how to access more program information. Posters are large enough, usually 12” by 18”, to be eye-catching and work best in organizations with common areas such as break rooms or locker areas so posters can be prominently displayed.
Flyers
This communication tool is also used to promote an incentive program but on a smaller scale than a poster, usually 8.5” by 11”. Letters or flyers can be mailed to individual homes, included in welcome packages for new hires or kept in a break room/general area such as an HR office. For flyers that are given to individuals, they can include group or location specific information about the award program. Flyers are ideal for organizations looking for a simple way to regularly send incentive program information to employees and also keep information on hand for employees in the workplace.
Statements
Statements are generally the same size as flyers but include personalized information such as personal log in information and point balances for each participant. These can be mailed to individual homes or distributed by managers at work. Statements can also serve as an order form that can be mailed or faxed in for award redemption. These tools are best for companies with employees who would prefer a paper-based method to receive updates and place orders.
Check back next week for the last 7 tools to communicate an incentive program and be sure to bring back your compartment style cafeteria tray!
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